Ex-faujis to show black flags to Parrikar in Mohali today

MOHALI: Various groups of ex-servicemen have decided to show black flags to defence minister Manohar Parrikar to express their grouse against the non-implementation of one-rank, one-pension (OROP) when he visits Mohali on Saturday, Parrikar will inaugurate Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (MBAFPI), the country's first armed forces preparatory institute for girls.
According to sources, around 500-600 army veterans under the banner of United Front of Ex-servicemen (UFESM) will assemble at Gurdwara Singh Shaheedaan at Sohana in Mohali and would move towards the inauguration site at Sector 66.
All India Defence Brotherhood (Punjab) president Brig K S Kahlon (retd) said their protest was not against the minister but against the betrayal of central government in not implementing the OROP despite promises.
Brigadier Harwant Singh (retd), representative of United Front for OROP from Punjab, said their agitation would be in a disciplined and peaceful manner to attract the attention of central government on their legitimate demand of OROP. He added that it was very unfortunate that ex-servicemen across the country were sitting on a chain hunger strike for past 40 days but the government has not paid any heed to their demand.
Meanwhile, DIG RK Jaiswal of Punjab Police said they were taking all possible measures for the peaceful and smooth conduct of the function and nobody would be allowed to create any obstruction during the defence minister's visit. Around 1,200 security personnel have been deployed for Saturday's function.